BOONTON — Seventy-one babies have been legally surrendered since New Jersey’s Safe Haven Infant Protection Act was passed in 2000; however, moms abandoning or killing their newborns continues to make headlines.

Most recently, an 18-year-old Neptune High School student suffocated her newborn before the baby’s father threw him in a dumpster and a Little Ferry mother killed her five-day-old daughter because, according to reports, “she didn’t want her child.”

“Had these new mothers taken advantage of the Safe Haven law, these babies would be alive today,” said Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco.

His bill (A1380) requiring school districts to provide students in grades 9 through 12 with information on the Safe Haven law is up for a vote in tomorrow’s Assembly Women and Children Committee.

“We need to be able to reach young people before it’s too late. In the unfortunate event someone is expecting an unwanted child, they can anonymously surrender their baby and there are no repercussions” said Bucco (R-Morris).

The Safe Haven law allows parents to drop off their unwanted and unharmed infants who are younger than 30 days old at police stations, emergency departments, first aid squads and fire stations with no questions asked and without fear of prosecution.

Research shows the risk of being a homicide victim is highest during the first year of life and can often be the result of an impulsive decision to leave a baby in an unsafe location. Most infant homicides occur at the hands of new mothers on the day of birth. More than half of all illegal abandonments in the nation result in death.

“Education and awareness are so important. It empowers people to make the right decision,” said Bucco.

If the legislation clears the committee, it will head to the Assembly for a vote. A Senate version of Bucco’s bill (S1126) passed by a 35-0 vote in June last year.

MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey banks are partnering with senior-focused community groups throughout the state to educate older Americans on how to bank more securely. Bankers are sharing information on how to: choose the right financial caregiver, detect financial abuse, and avoid scams targeting older adults as part of this campaign.

Established by the American Bankers Association Foundation, Safe Banking for Seniors is an educational outreach program that provides bankers with tools and turn-key resources to educate their customers on how to protect themselves from financial exploitation as they age.

“NJBankers President and CEO John E. McWeeney, Jr. noted that “New Jersey’s banking community is committed to protecting senior citizens because they should be able to live free of abuse. Bankers are trained to look for signs of financial abuse and take this very seriously. Bankers also reach out directly to the elderly in the communities they serve with guidance for recognizing if their finances are being compromised.”

As a champion of the Safe Banking for Seniors program the New Jersey Bankers Association highlights the following red flags of elder financial exploitation:

1. Unusual activity in an older person’s bank accounts, including large, frequent or unexplained withdrawals
2. Changing from a basic account to one that offers more complicated services the customer does not fully understand or need
3. Withdrawals from bank accounts or transfers between accounts the customer cannot explain
4. A new “best friend” accompanying an older person to the bank
5. Sudden non-sufficient fund activity or unpaid bills
6. Closing CDs or accounts without regard to penalties
7. Uncharacteristic attempts to wire large sums of money
8. Suspicious signatures on checks or outright forgery
9. Confusion, fear or lack of awareness on the part of an older customer
10. Checks written as “loans” or “gifts”
11. Bank statements that no longer go to the customer’s home
12. New powers of attorney the older person does not understand
13. A caretaker, relative, or friend who suddenly begins conducting financial transactions on behalf of the an older person without proper documentation
14. Altered will and trusts

Organizations, coalitions, ministries, senior centers and the like can request a free banker presentation on Safe Banking for Seniors using the ABA Foundation FinEdLink portal. Click here to connect with a bank in your community and join the national effort to empower seniors in protecting their finances.

The ABA Foundation provides financial education initiatives and resources to help bankers further strengthen their communities.  The Foundation’s signature initiatives, Safe Banking for Seniors, Get Smart About Credit, Lights, Camera, Save! and Teach Children to Save, bring bankers and individuals of all ages together to improve financial knowledge.

To view the list of participating banks in New Jersey click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — A measure permitting public-private partnerships for energy-related projects cleared a legislative committee today creating an opportunity for more savings say Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce and Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips.

“Everyone will see savings as a result of this legislation,” said DePhillips (R-Bergen). “We won’t burden our taxpayers for energy upgrades in our public schools and municipal buildings.  Public entities can get a more energy efficient infrastructure and the private companies can use the utility savings.”

The bill A4535 would permit government entities to enter into a contract with a private company to take over projects like replacing old heating and cooling systems or updating lighting to make them more energy efficient. The private company would be permitted to keep the difference in utility costs.

“It is a win-win,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “This legislation will allow long-overdue projects to be undertaken without incurring the expense of millions of dollars in public funds. We will receive more reliable power in our government facilities.”

State law has allowed state and local governments as well as public school districts to form similar types of partnerships, commonly referred to as P3 agreements, for transportation and building projects.

The legislation would also create an Energy P3 unit in the Economic Development Authority to review and approve proposed projects.

MORRIS COUNTY — Meet Johnny! He is a one-year-old Black Lab puppy ready to find his forever home!

Johnny is an easygoing dog who LOVES to cuddle anytime and anywhere. He wants everyone he meets to hold him and give him lots of pets. In return, he will cover your face in kisses to show how much he loves you! While he is still a puppy, he is not rambunctious but enjoys a good romp in the yard.

A note from Johnny’s foster mom: “Johnny is one of the sweetest foster puppies we have ever had! All he wants is for you to love him. Whenever you sit down, he is ready to curl up on your lap.

He will usually rest his head on my chest or shoulder. He typically lays in his dog bed or on the couch when he is not playing outdoors or with his toys. He loves tennis balls and squeaky toys! He always aims to please and is a great listener.”

Johnny is working on learning his basic commands and has mastered “sit”, “paw”, “down”, “come” and “crate”. He is very food motivated and eager to learn. He sleeps through the night in his crate and is doing great with his potty training! Johnny walks great on a leash and enjoys going on walks! He would do wonderfully in a home with another dog and can also live with children 13 and up.

If you’re looking for a loving, sweet puppy, adopt Johnny!

If you are interested in adopting Johnny, please fill out an application by clicking here.

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MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM) is launching the Culinary Opportunity Program (COP) for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, starting on May 20, as an eight-week term leading to a certificate of completion.

COP is designed to provide adults with developmental disabilities with the training and qualifications to work in a range of food production environments, including restaurants, cafeterias and specialty shops such as ice cream stores. COP courses take place Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The total cost is $1,998, payable over two sessions at $999 each. CCM will offer the program every eight weeks. The first group starts May 20 and runs through July 22. Each COP session is limited to eight students.  Registration is now taking place for the first program.

The Department of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts at CCM developed the program in response to a growing need to provide adults with developmental disabilities with greater opportunities, notes Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, president of CCM.

“As a community college, our mission is to serve the entire community,” says Iacono. “This program will provide critical training for adults with developmental disabilities, who have aged out of the K-12 system, with a pathway for continued success.”

Students in the program will take four courses: Serv-Safe Food Handling, Cooking Traditions, Modern Cooking and Hospitality Work Experience. When possible, students also will take part in a 40-hour work opportunity.

Those accepted into the program will need to purchase a uniform and meet certain requirements, such as possessing a willingness to learn about and use commercial kitchen equipment, including mixers, gas stoves, convection ovens and dishwashers.

COP is being offered through the Center for Workforce Development at CCM. For more information and to apply click here.